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God’s Gift to Me This Christmas

My father passed away Superbowl Sunday almost three years ago. I was blessed enough to be by his side as he met his Creator. My father was 84 years old and had lived a full life.

He had a sister that passed away when she was only 17, and his older brother is still alive. Uncle Norm is well over 90 and even though I have rarely seen him– every once in a great while I get a phone call from him.

Today was one of those days.

A kiss from Daddy on my wedding day.

I was busy trying to wrap up my Christmas gifts in a hurry while David had the children out running errands. My phone rang and I saw Uncle Norm’s name. I stopped in my tracks and answered.

What followed was a lovely conversation about my Christmas card and the kiddos and all that we had done in 2015. He was so proud that I had written a book and asked about each of the children. The toughest part of the whole thing was hearing his voice.

It sounds identical to my father’s.

That melodious mid-western lilt with velvet laughter. Joking and happy to hear all our good news. A highlights-only kinda guy.

The entire time I just tried to hide the tears in my voice. My hands shaking and my face soaked because how I wished I could hear my father say all those words of encouragement. How I wanted to hear him say good job. How I longed to hear his voice laughing and joking.

And even through my heartbreak I could hear God whisper…

Me and my dad…I was about 17 here. Miss you!

“Merry Christmas. This is my gift to you…your father DOES say those things about you all the time and that’s why I had Uncle Norm give you a call so you could hear it for yourself.”

This Christmas, take the time to look for the gift the Lord gives you. Listen carefully for His voice. He’s a loving Father who enjoys giving us beyond what we ask for or even think to consider. Pay attention, I guarantee you’ll have one of the most wonderful Christmas seasons ever, because you will have felt the love of your Heavenly Father.

And if you’re blessed like I was….maybe you’ll even feel the love of someone you’ve lost.